If at First You Don’t Succeed Reading Answers topic comprises 13 sets of questions. It is an IELTS reading answers topic. This topic has been taken from the book: Cambridge IELTS 10 Student's Book with Answers. The topic: If at First You Don’t Succeed Reading Answers is the first part of the reading section. The candidates must go through the IELTS reading passage for keywords. The candidates must read every sentence of the passage attentively to finish all the questions within 20 minutes. The topic: If at First You Don’t Succeed Reading Answers test the skills and abilities of the candidates in reading. The IELTS Reading practice papers consist of a more similar topic like this. The candidate can practice from these practice papers to get familiarised with such topics
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Read the passage to answer the following questions
Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of smokers; smokers who smoke for pleasure and smokers who draw when stressed. The former use cigarettes when they feel good; for simulation and relaxation. The latter use cigarettes as a coping mechanism to deal with stress, anger, tiredness, anxiety and so on. Pleasure smokers typically smoke fewer cigarettes a day and may go for extended periods without smoking at all, only having a puff when they are in a place (the bar, for example) they associate with the habit. Smokers who use their habit as a coping mechanism tend to be far more reliant on cigarettes though, smoking regularly throughout the day, and larger quantities overall than pleasure smokers. Their overdependence on cigarettes makes the task of quitting much harder look for a substitute stimulate, smokers who use their habit as a coping mechanism must solve the underlying problems that compel them to want to smoke as much as they must kick the habit itself.
That said, quitting is possible so long as the smoke is at least in contemplation mode. There are six different modes smokers can find themselves in. the first, pre-contemplation, is typically the most difficult point from which to start quitting. This person has never really thought about quitting before, nor sensed any necessity or urgency to quit. He or she is likely going to be poorly motivated and willpower is a major hurdle that may prove too much to overcome with such low motivated levels. These smokers tend only to say that they will try to quit when pressured to do so by a loved one, but really they have no desire whatsoever to give up. Such individuals are unlikely to be affected by public health warnings and they rarely listen to the negative publicity smoking receives in the media or place any importance on the wider and their habit. They are relatively content and the prospect of success in their quitting, long-term, is low, unless they have some direct personal experience of the ill effects of smoking like, for example, a close-family bereavement or a smoking-related health scare they (or someone close to them) have had, as only this sort of fright will give them the motivation to genuinely want to change their attitude and quit.
Someone who genuinely wants to quit is in what we term contemplation mode. These people, the contemplators, are of a mind to quit but still lack the motivation to try. They are constantly saying that they will quit, and often set vague far-off dates for when the act of quitting is likely to occur. A husband might say to his wife, for example: ‘when we have our first child, I will stop smoking’. Part of him means it, and, to even acknowledge the need to stop and the implication that smoking would have adverse effects on his children’s health is a step in the right direction. However, in reality, while the smoker knows he should quit, his motivation to do so is still not high and he seriously doubts his own willpower which is why he draws attention to a time when, as he perceives it, his willpower will have increased – such as after the birth of his firstborn.
Really, the only way to ever successfully give up smoking is to just get on with it. Don’t put it off until tomorrow; the task starts now. Each time we allow ourselves another excuse to have even just one more cigarette. Our willpower has folded and we have succumbed to our nicotine cravings.
The action mode, then, is the one all current smokers must try to place themselves in. here, they really are trying to quit and not just talking about it. People have different approaches to action mode; some change brands initially, some cut down on the amount they smoke, others wear patches or take other nicotine substitutes and a few try to go cold turkey, a practice that does not actually have a very high success rate. The key thing that everyone in the action mode has in common is the will to try. Likely though it may be that this will be broken at some point or another, the smoker that is resolute in his determination to keep trying to quit will, statistically, succeed. For example, more than 70 per cent of ex-smokers (in legal speak that is smokers who have been off cigarettes for in excess of one year) tried and failed to give up once before they were successful. Almost one fifth of all ex-smokers fall into the tried-and-failed-between-two-and-four-times category. There is one clear message then to be got from this; keep trying!
When you get to the maintenance phase, the phase in which you have stopped smoking completely, but are still within that first year of having quit, there is a tendency to assume that you are out of the woods. Sadly, this is where many people are let down by their overconfidence. Phrases such as “I” just have one – sure I don’t need them anymore’ are not uncommon at this point, and all the hard work it took to quit is undone in a moment or two of madness where one cigarette quickly becomes two, two, become three and before you know it, you are a fully-fledged addict again. It is important, therefore, to be conscious of the possibility of reverting to type during the first year, and to be on your guard. That said, failure is not the end, so despair not; you have simply entered another phase – relapse.
Relapse is a return to daily smoking after a period of non-smoking. Almost three quarters of smokers will find themselves here the first time they try to quit. There is, however, a danger of giving up on trying to quit at this stage, which is the wrong attitude to take. Failing in the quitting smoking stakes actually makes you less likely to fail the next time you try – practice really makes perfect in this game.
Pluck up the courage to try again and you will find yourself in a very familiar place to smokers: renewed-action mode. In this mode, you are as determined as ever to quit, but you have an edge – you can learn from your past mistakes and keep your expectations realistic.
Solution and Explanation
Questions 1-5:
Look at the following smoker modes (Question 1-5) and the list of the statement below.
Match each mode with the correct statement, A-G.
Write the correct letter, A-G.
Question 1:
Answer: E
Supporting Sentence: They are relatively content and the prospect of success in their quitting, long-term, is low, unless they have some direct personal experience of the ill effects of smoking like, for example, a close-family bereavement or a smoking-related health scare they (or someone close to them) have had, as only this sort of fright will give them the motivation to genuinely want to change their attitude and quit.
Keyword: relatively content, success in their quitting, direct personal experience, ill effects of smoking, to genuinely want, change their attitude and quit.
Keyword Location: 2nd paragraph, 3rd-last sentence
Explanation: The passage depicts the pre-contemplation mode that is the toughest point from which phase the individuals start quitting. The individuals in this mode are relatively content and realize the chance of success in quitting smoke. The individuals feel that this quitting of smoke is low on a long-term basis unless they experience any ill outcomes from smoking. Moreover, smokers are affected by public warnings. Smokers are also aware of the negative publicity of smoking. Therefore, E is the correct answer as it satisfies the content of the passage.
Question 2:
Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: However, in reality, while the smoker knows he should quit, his motivation to do so is still not high and he seriously doubts his own willpower which is why he draws attention to a time when.
Keyword: he should quit, not high, doubts his own willpower.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 1st - 7th sentence
Explanation: The third paragraph depicts the circumstances of Contemplation Mode. The individuals intend to quit smoking. However, the people remained in confusion that their willpower and lack of motivation will restrict them to do so. The paragraph also states an example where the husband ensures the wife of his step of quitting smoking when they will have their first child. Therefore, D is the correct answer as it satisfies the content of the passage.
Question 3:
Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: For example, more than 70 per cent of ex-smokers (in legal speak that is smokers who have been off cigarettes for in excess of one year) tried and failed to give up once before they were successful.
Keyword: action mode, wear patches, nicotine substitutes, tried and failed to give up, before they were successful.
Keyword Location: 4th paragraph, 1st- last sentence
Explanation: The paragraph depicts the condition of the action mode. It has been analysed that people wear patches or take other nicotine substitutes to discontinue smoking. These are the weaker-strength cigarettes which diminishes the desire for cigarettes when people attempt to give up smoking. An example is also given which states people who tried to lessen the cigarette amount for the first time. Therefore, B is the correct answer as it supports the content of the passage.
Question 4:
Answer: C
Supporting Sentence: Relapse is a return to daily smoking after a period of non-smoking.
Keyword: return to daily smoking, period of non-smoking.
Keyword Location: 7th paragraph, 1st sentence
Explanation: The paragraph depicts the description of the Relapse mode. The word deliberation means it is required to consider things in a careful way before accomplishing something. Smokers think carefully about smoking another cigarette. The passage states that smokers surrender in the end. Therefore, C is the correct answer as it supports the content of the paragraph.
Question 5:
Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: In this mode, you are as determined as ever to quit, but you have an edge – you can learn from your past mistakes and keep your expectations realistic.
Keyword: learn from your past mistakes, expectations realistic.
Keyword Location: last paragraph, 1st- last sentence
Explanation: The paragraph states the condition of Renewed Action Mode. People can take the decision to quit only by learning from their past mistakes. Therefore, A is the correct answer since it depicts the possibility of attaining success in discontinuing smoking. Hence, statement A satisfies the content of the passage.
Questions 6-13:
Complete the Fill in the Blanks.
Limit no more two from the passage for each answer. MAKING THE EFFORT TO QUIT.
Question 6:
Answer: Quitting (smoking)
Supporting Sentence: That said, quitting is possible so long as the smoke is at least in contemplation mode.
Keyword: quitting is possible, contemplation mode.
Keyword Location: 2nd paragraph, 1st sentence
Explanation: The second paragraph states mainly about the way people can discontinue their smoking habits. They established their intention of quitting smoking as a goal. It depicts the conditions of the contemplation mode. Therefore, “Quitting” is the correct answer as it perfectly fits in the blank.
Question 7:
Answer: Vague
Supporting Sentence: They are constantly saying that they will quit, and often set vague far-off dates for when the act of quitting is likely to occur.
Keyword: they will quit, often set vague far-off dates.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 3rd sentence
Explanation: The paragraph depicts the Contemplation mode. Smokers always say that they will quit smoking. However, in reality, they set vague distant dates to discontinue their act of smoking. Therefore, vague is the correct answer as it satisfies the content of the passage. Hence, it perfectly fits in the blank.
Question 8:
Answer: Motivation
Supporting Sentence: However, in reality, while the smoker knows he should quit, his motivation to do so is still not high and he seriously doubts his own willpower which is why he draws attention to a time when, as he perceives it, his willpower will have increased – such as after the birth of his firstborn.
Keyword: he should quit, motivation to do so, not high.
Keyword Location: 3rd paragraph, 6th sentence
Explanation: The paragraph states that in reality, smokers realise that they need to quit smoking. Smokers also lack the motivation to discontinue smoking. Therefore, “motivation” is the correct answer as it supports the content described in the passage. Hence, it is the missing word in the sentence and it fits perfectly in the blank.
Question 9:
Answer: Brands
Supporting Sentence: People have different approaches to action mode; some change brands initially, some cut down on the amount they smoke, others wear patches or take other nicotine substitutes and a few try to go cold turkey, a practice that does not actually have a very high success rate.
Keyword: action mode, some change brands, wear patches, nicotine substitutes, high success rate.
Keyword Location: 5th paragraph, 2nd sentence
Explanation: The paragraph states the condition of the Action mode. At this phase, there can be a high chance of success if the smokers attempt to do anything to quit smoking. People change brands to reduce their addiction to smoking. Some wear patches or take nicotine substitutes in order to quit their smoking habits. These are considered the weaker types of cigarettes. Therefore, “brands” is the correct answer that fits in the blank.
Question 10:
Answer: Success rate
Supporting Sentence: People have different approaches to action mode; some change brands initially, some cut down on the amount they smoke, others wear patches or take other nicotine substitutes and a few try to go cold turkey, a practice that does not actually have a very high success rate.
Keyword: action mode, some change brands, wear patches, nicotine substitutes, try to go cold turkey, high success rate.
Keyword Location: 5th paragraph, 2nd sentence
Explanation: The paragraph states the circumstances of the Action mode. People change brands to diminish their habit of smoking. Some wear patches or take nicotine substitutes in order to quit their smoking habits. Some people attempt to go cold turkey, a practice that does not attain a high success rate. All these practices are the method of giving up the habit of smoking. Therefore, “Success rate” is the correct answer that fits in the blank.
Question 11:
Answer: relapse
Supporting Sentence: Relapse is a return to daily smoking after a period of non-smoking.
Keyword: return to daily smoking, period of non-smoking.
Keyword Location: 7th paragraph, 1st sentence
Explanation: The paragraph explains the condition of relapse mode. Smokers think carefully about smoking another cigarette. The passage states that smokers surrender in the end. Relapse is basically a process of returning to the habit of daily smoking after a gapping of non-smoking. Therefore, “relapse” is the correct answer to fit in the blank as it supports the content of the paragraph.
Question 12:
Answer: failed
Supporting Sentence: Phrases such as ‘I’ll just have one - sure I don’t need them anymore’ are not uncommon at this point, and all the hard work it took to quit is undone in a moment or two of madness where one cigarette quickly becomes two, two become three and before you know it, you are a fully-fledged addict again.
Keyword: hard work, is undone, one cigarette quickly becomes two, fully-fledged addict again.
Keyword Location: 6th paragraph, 3rd sentence
Explanation: The sixth paragraph states that the people worked hard to quit the habit of smoking. However, they cannot manage their addiction and take just one cigarette. This one cigarette becomes two and then the number gradually increases. Therefore people succumb and attain their previous smoking habit. Therefore, people face failure in this attempt to quit smoking. Therefore, “failed” is the correct answer as it suits perfectly in the blank.
Question 13:
Answer: realistic
Supporting Sentence: In this mode, you are as determined as ever to quit, but you have an edge – you can learn from your past mistakes and keep your expectations realistic.
Keyword: learn from your past mistakes, expectations realistic.
Keyword Location: determined as ever to quit, last paragraph, 1st- last sentence
Explanation: The paragraph depicts the condition of Renewed Action Mode. It is evident from the paragraph that the people failed to quit the habit of smoking. People can keep their expectations more realistic by learning from their past mistakes. Therefore, “realistic” is the correct answer as it perfectly fits in the blank.
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